Chapter 131 General Meeting
"Lotus Fire God, Flame True Body, Kagutsuchi-Ming!"

A plain but familiar voice that echoed throughout the entire Xuzhou city indicated that the strange phenomenon above the Fu'an Marquis Mansion was indeed caused by Zhu Chengwu himself.

Immediately afterwards, the fire and earth elements in the ten-mile radius inside and outside the city of Xuzhou began to fluctuate violently as never before.

The strange fire phenomenon above Fu'an Marquis Mansion began to change.

Countless flames carrying huge amounts of fire energy gathered towards the sky, and finally formed a mirror made of flames.

As the flames gathered, countless yellow sands accompanied by earth-attributed energy also gathered under Zhu Chengwu's feet.

Finally, a sandy flowing lotus was formed.

A lotus took shape under Zhu Chengwu's feet, lifting him up.

When the flowing sand lotus took shape and lifted Zhu Chengwu high into the sky.

The mirror made of flames in the sky also began to descend and finally landed behind Zhu Chengwu's head.

The fire and earth elements of heaven and earth gathered separately, one gathered behind Zhu Chengwu's head, and the other fell under Zhu Chengwu's feet.

This state meant that the Earth Core Fire Lotus, a high-level treasure of heaven and earth, had been digested by Zhu Chengwu with the opportunity of becoming a grandmaster, so Zhu Chengwu was able to separate the fire-attributed heaven and earth energy from the earth-attributed heaven and earth energy.

As long as Zhu Chengwu is given a little more time, the Earth Core Fire Lotus, this high-level rare treasure of the world, will disappear and completely merge with Zhu Chengwu.

As Zhu Chengwu successfully achieved the status of a master, the strange phenomenon of two suns in the sky slowly dissipated.

Although this vision was grand, it came and went quickly.

Zhu Chengwu’s accumulation was so rich that he soon successfully broke through to the Grandmaster level.

Everything happened so naturally that there was no room for vision to develop.

The strange phenomena in heaven and earth that occur when warriors and spiritual cultivators break through a realm are essentially caused by the inability to control their own strength when they have just broken through the realm, and the interaction with the external energy of heaven and earth.

This process will be quick for Zhu Chengwu.

After all, with the Earth Core Fire Lotus and the Lotus Fire God, Zhu Chengwu had already experienced the power of a master firsthand, and had fought fiercely with the Marquis of Northwest, the Duke of Yan, the Taoist Qingfeng and others.

It was not difficult for Zhu Chengwu to precisely control the energy that surged after breaking through to the Grandmaster level.

"Congratulations, Lord Hou, for achieving Grandmaster status!"

When Zhu Chengwu gathered his strength and landed on the ground, many people in Fu'an Marquis' Mansion just woke up from their dreams.

He bowed and congratulated Zhu Chengwu.

It’s no wonder that the people in the Marquis’ Mansion reacted slowly. It was simply that the time Zhu Chengwu took to break through to the Grandmaster level was too short!
Only about a quarter of an hour!

Totally unreasonable!

It's not even as long as the time when Cui Shuyun's strange phenomena were revealed when she achieved the Yin God!

“No need to be so polite!
Qiuyue informed her father-in-law, Shuyun, Min'an, cousin Xinghan, Chief Steward Gao, Chief Steward Dai, Chengcheng and Rongwei to hold a high-level meeting of the Marquis' Mansion in the hall half an hour later.

Also notify all key training targets in Fu'an Marquis's Mansion to attend!"

Zhu Chengwu, who landed on the ground, waved his hand to stop the people in the marquis's mansion from greeting him, and spoke to Qiuyue who was serving on the side.

"Yes! Mr. Hou!"

Qiuyue bowed in response.

Time passes, and the Fu'an Marquis Mansion is also developing.

All the elderly people who could not keep up with the development of Fu'an Marquis Mansion were gradually marginalized in these three years.

Cui Zongyan, Cui Shuyun, Zhu Xiumin, Zhao Xinghan, Gao Yao, Dai Fayan, Zhu Chengcheng, Cui Rongwei...all of these people have kept up with the development of Fu'an Marquis' Mansion.

Moreover, after three years of development, the talent discovery and training program that Zhu Chengwu had been planning since the very beginning has ushered in its first wave of harvest.

The current Fu'an Marquis Mansion is no longer the Fu'an Marquis Mansion of three years ago, which could only send two top-notch people besides Zhu Chengwu to go to Cui's bride reception even if all the people came out.

Not only has the number of masters more than doubled, but talents in other areas have also been greatly improved.

Three years ago, the only professional talent in Fu'an Marquis Mansion was Dai Fayan in the field of business and trade.

Other internal affairs, management, foreign affairs, etc. were all shouldered by Zhu Chengwu, Zhao Xinghan, Gao Yao and others.

Now, when Cui Zongyan is unable to return to Beijing, the foundation of many teams has been set up by Cui Zongyan.

After all, Cui Zongyan is a veteran in the officialdom!
Moreover, Zhu Chengwu represents the future martial arts legend, so there should not be too many forces and talents trying to get close to Zhu Chengwu in private.

"Greetings, Lord Marquis! Congratulations, Lord Marquis, on reaching the Grandmaster level!"

As Qiuyue left, the first person to arrive at the meeting hall soon appeared.

As expected, it was Cui Shuyun, who, like Zhu Chengwu, had stayed in the marquis' mansion and never left home for the past three years.

"Here you go, sit down!"

Zhu Chengwu glanced at Cui Shuyun, then retracted his gaze, closed his eyes and began to regulate his breathing.

After all, he had just made a breakthrough, and although it was a natural result, Zhu Chengwu still needed time to become more familiar with the power in his body.

Cui Shuyun obviously understood Zhu Chengwu's current state. She bowed again, expressed her gratitude, and then found a seat and sat down.

That is the position right next to Zhu Chengwu's left.

The Ming Dynasty respected the left as the most honorable position, and the seat where Cui Shuyun sat was the most honorable seat in the entire hall, except for the main seat where Zhu Chengwu sat.

According to Cui Shuyun's idea, Cui Shuyun didn't want to sit in this prominent position, and she didn't even want to attend the high-level meeting of Fu'an Marquis' Mansion.

Unfortunately, due to her status as the wife of the Marquis' Mansion and the large number of people attending the high-level meeting, Cui Shuyun had no choice but to attend.

When she first participated, Cui Shuyun actually found a most inconspicuous corner to sit in.

But her identity was there, and no matter where she sat, she would always be the focus of the crowd.

After she sat down in the corner, the others didn't know where to sit.

In the end, Cui Zongyan and Zhu Xiumin took her to sit to the left of Zhu Chengwu.

After that, this position became Cui Shuyun's exclusive one.

Cui Shuyun did not resist any more.

After attending a general meeting of the top management of the Marquis of Fu'an Mansion and seeing the order in which others automatically took their seats, Cui Shuyun understood that this seat was exclusively for her.

If she didn't sit in this position, it would only make everyone embarrassed and at a loss.

What's more, there was Cui Zongyan's face-to-face instruction.

Not long after Cui Shuyun sat down, other people arrived one after another.

After all, there was such a big commotion and strange phenomenon when Zhu Chengwu broke through before, it was impossible for them who were in Xuzhou city not to see it.

Perhaps before Zhu Chengwu gave Qiuyue instructions and before Qiuyue passed on the message, they had already set out for the Marquis of Fu'an's Mansion.

They were able to keep up with the pace during the three years when there was a huge explosion of talent and a large concentration of personnel in Fu'an Marquis Mansion. These people are sensitive to certain things.

"Everyone is here! Now let me tell you about the next arrangements."

After the top leaders of the Marquis' Mansion were seated and the attendees arrived one by one, Zhu Chengwu went straight to the point.

Over the past three years, Zhu Chengwu has become more and more aware of what he relies on, and has become more direct in his actions and words.

"Brother! Just make the arrangements! Are we going to Beijing?"

The only one who dared to speak and interrupt Zhu Chengwu at this time was Zhu Xiumin, who was sitting in the first position to Zhu Chengwu's lower right.

As Zhu Chengwu's younger sister and the most senior official in the Fu'an Marquis's Mansion, Zhu Xiumin knew Zhu Chengwu's inner thoughts and plans.

And Zhu Xiumin was really anxious! She escaped from the Ming Palace, but were Zhao Yushan and Zhu Xiulan still trapped in the Ming Palace?
For Zhu Xiumin, her mother Zhao Yushan, who devoted most of her energy to teaching her and Zhu Xiulan after Zhu Chengwu was conferred the title, and her younger sister Zhu Xiulan, who received education together and lived with her every day, are extremely important relatives.

His importance is almost as high as that of Zhu Chengwu, the person he confided in his childhood and the eldest brother he relies on now.

"Min'an, be calm in times of crisis!"

Zhu Chengwu glanced unhappily at Zhu Xiumin who interrupted him.

Doesn’t Zhu Xiumin know that interrupting him like this will make him delay the main topic he is about to say?

Then Zhu Chengwu did not give Zhu Xiumin a chance to speak and continued speaking.

"Master Cui, please notify all the forces that have come close to us to send half of their intermediate and above experts to come to the capital with us in two months!"

Zhu Chengwu looked at Cui Zongyan and ordered.

The general meeting of high-level officials in Fu'an Marquis' Mansion was Zhu Chengwu's small court. In this meeting, Zhu Chengwu would not address others by their personal relationship as relatives, but directly address them by their positions.

This can be considered as Zhu Chengwu's early adaptation.

"Understood, my Lord!"

Cui Zongyan, who was sitting second from Zhu Chengwu's left, stood up, bowed and clasped his fists in response.

Cui Zongyan is very sensible and never takes advantage of the special status of Zhu Chengwu's father-in-law to ask for special treatment.

Because of Cui Zongyan's discretion, tactfulness and status, Cui Zongyan was in charge of the connection with all the major forces that were close to Zhu Chengwu in the Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

The big forces here refer to those forces that have first-rate or above masters and have a great influence in the place where they are located.

For example, the Li family in Xuzhou City.

“General Zhao, in these last two months, I want you to quickly take control of the garrisons in Xuzhou City and the nearby provincial capitals!
While consolidating our rear, will we have a problem in pulling out a regular army of 20,000 to 30,000 people in two months?"

After giving instructions to Cui Zongyan, Zhu Chengwu turned his attention to Zhao Xinghan, the second person on the right.

This time Zhu Chengwu asked an additional question: "Are there any questions?"

Because in Zhu Chengwu's arrangement, the army is more important than the masters contacted by Cui Zongyan.

This does not mean that the masters of powerful forces are not as good as some ordinary soldiers.

But the army is far more reassuring than the masters of big forces.

Although the combined combat power of the masters of those big forces is much stronger than an army of tens of thousands of people, the masters of those big forces can only fight when the wind is favorable.

Once an accident occurs, Zhu Chengwu dares to guarantee that the masters of those major forces above the eighth level will collapse at the first touch and flee back home for their lives.

"My Lord, over the past three years, we have taken advantage of the internal strife in the court... When the court had no time to take care of our Xuzhou City, we have placed the old men of the Marquis's guard team into the senior ranks of the garrisons in the provinces, prefectures and counties near Xuzhou City!
Most of the original garrison high-ranking officers were very sensible, and those who were not are no longer here!
As long as the Marquis gives an order, the nearby provincial capitals and counties will have at least 100,000 garrisons change their tactics, and 20,000 to 30,000 regular troops will not be a problem at all!"

Zhao Xinghan seemed very confident about Zhu Chengwu's request.

After performing the "Demon Disintegration Technique", Zhao Xinghan's already slim hope of becoming a master was shattered. He completely gave up on martial arts and focused on power and officialdom.

He attached great importance to the army founded by the Zhao family.

Being obsessed with the army is a common problem among families with military achievements!
"General Zhao, I hope that there won't be another accident like the one that happened at the martial arts competition three years ago!

And the troops we withdraw must be elite!
Elite troops who can fight against the wind and win battles!

Besides, 20,000 to 30,000 people are enough! If more are transferred, the number of troops stationed in the provinces and counties will be insufficient, and chaos may arise!

When you are drawing personnel, you must remind those who remain in the provincial capitals and counties to pay attention to maintaining local stability.

I don't want the rear base we worked so hard to build to be destroyed once we leave!"

Zhu Chengwu gave Zhao Xinghan a lot of instructions.

Zhao Xinghan, who has a serious official-centered mentality, often makes the common mistake of people in officialdom, being eager for quick success and eager to show off.

Three years ago, Zhao Xinghan’s optimistic forecast was ultimately slapped in the face, which is a clear proof of this.

Although there was the factor of Ming Wang's intervention in the martial arts test three years ago, the fact that Zhao Xinghan was too optimistic and exaggerated in order to show off is true.

Moreover, over the past three years, Zhu Chengwu could from time to time feel Zhao Xinghan's eagerness for quick success and eagerness to show off, which was a bureaucratic obsession.

"My Lord, don't worry! There will be no more accidents this time! I can issue a military order!"

Hearing Zhu Chengwu's words, Zhao Xinghan became anxious.

He directly stood up and expressed his position, and even said that he could issue a military order.

Zhao Xinghan really didn't expect that a "mistake" three years ago would be brought out to rip him off now.

"There's no need for a military order! Just don't let anything unexpected happen!"

In the end, even though Zhu Chengwu had some concerns in his heart, he still did not ask Zhao Xinghan to sign a military order.

Military orders are not issued at random.

If Zhao Xinghan failed to fulfill his promise after signing the military order, Zhu Chengwu would not let Zhao Xinghan off for the sake of fairness.

After all, Zhao Xinghan was the bridge of communication between him and the Zhao family, and he had sweated, bled, and suffered injuries for Zhu Chengwu. Zhu Chengwu did not want anything to happen to Zhao Xinghan.

By then, we will have to shed tears and destroy Xinghan!

Zhu Chengwu stretched out his hand to stop Zhao Xinghan who was about to say something, and turned to look at Gao Yao, who was the third person on his left.

"Chief Executive Gao, the Death Squadron will set out with us. I will be of great use to you. Also, the Secret Service Battalion will be deployed to the major cities along our way, especially the capital! Don't let us become blind and deaf!"

During these three years, the Internal Affairs Department headed by Gao Yao split out the Secret Agent Battalion based on the Death Squad.

The Death Squad and the Secret Service Battalion were actually Zhu Chengwu's "East Factory".

"Understood, Lord! We already have some secret agents in various cities. In the next two months, I will increase the deployment of secret agents in the relevant cities and the capital."

Gao Yao bowed in response.

Don’t underestimate Gao Yao because he is the fifth person in command. He has always been the one Zhu Chengwu trusts the most.

Zhu Chengwu was not worried about Gao Yao's ability.

It’s just that Gao Yao is too young, and the time it took him to achieve first-class status is too short.

Gao Yao has not yet achieved the status of Grandmaster, let alone Junior Grandmaster.

There is still a big gap between him and Wang Chengen, the chief eunuch of the Ming Palace.

After all, not everyone is Zhu Chengwu.

"General Manager Dai, as the saying goes, food and fodder must be sent before the troops move. Can the Ministry of External Affairs provide financial support?"

Zhu Chengwu looked at Dai Fayan, who was sitting in the third seat on his right, the business genius who had made great contributions to the development of Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

"No problem, Marquis! The savings of the Foreign Affairs Office are enough to support the scale of the war that the Marquis has arranged for more than half a year. If the monthly income is also taken into account, and there are no major problems with the monthly income, the savings of the Foreign Affairs Office and the monthly income are enough to support the Fu'an Marquis's Mansion for more than two years at the current scale."

Dai Fayan answered confidently and carefully.

He is worthy of being the Director of the Foreign Affairs Office who handles money and is now the "God of Wealth" of Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

During these three years, Zhu Chengwu also split up financial management.

Zhu Chengwu's personal property was managed by the Internal Affairs Office, while the money owned by the powerful Fu'an Marquisate was managed by Dai Fayan's External Affairs Office.

Of course, the Foreign Affairs Office also belongs to Zhu Chengwu, so the Foreign Affairs Office headed by Dai Fayan has to regularly transfer a sum of money to the Internal Affairs Office every month.

This is actually the prototype of the national treasury and private treasury.

(End of this chapter)